Two Palm Springs roads that had been closed due to a desert sand storm, which caused low visibility and left parts of the streets blocked by sand piles, were reopened Monday.
North Indian Canyon was closed Sunday night between Tramview Road and Interstate 10, while Gene Autry Trail was blocked between the freeway and East Via Escuela Monday morning.
Gene Autry Trail reopened around midday, while North Indian Canyon reopened late Monday afternoon.
City officials said earlier that the wind and blowing dust created dangerously low visibility and left piles of sand in some parts of the streets. Crews used tractors to remove sand from the roadways.
Wind gusts reached 59 mph in some desert locations overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials from the South Coast Air Quality Management District advised people in areas directly impacted by windblown dust to avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion, and people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children were urged to remain indoors.
SCAQMD updates can be found at www.aqmd.gov/advisory . To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see www.aqmd.gov/aqimap .